EP1575274A1 - A camera apparatus - Google Patents
A camera apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1575274A1 EP1575274A1 EP05101484A EP05101484A EP1575274A1 EP 1575274 A1 EP1575274 A1 EP 1575274A1 EP 05101484 A EP05101484 A EP 05101484A EP 05101484 A EP05101484 A EP 05101484A EP 1575274 A1 EP1575274 A1 EP 1575274A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- outer housing
- lcd
- housing
- lcd monitor
- inner cover
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
- H04N23/50—Constructional details
- H04N23/51—Housings
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a camera apparatus comprising a housing element having an aperture and a component.
- the camera includes a display unit, as well as board-mounted components such as a lens unit, terminals and a controller, all of which are fastened to the housing of the camera by screws. Also, although the number of components is gradually reducing, the number of screws required to fasten the units has seldom changed.
- screws are considered as one of the main factors that hinders the development of a compact and light-weight camera.
- the screw is generally made of steel, and requires manual labour to screw the components to the respective locations. This increases the amount of labour, and burdens workers especially as the size of the screws reduces to effect miniaturisation of the products. Therefore, a housing assembly of a camera which requiring fewer screws for the mounting of each component to the housing is needed.
- the present invention has been made to address the above-mentioned problems occurring in the related art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a housing assembly for a camera and method of assembly, in which optimal arrangements are provided for screwing respective components and the mounting therefor.
- the present invention relates to a camera apparatus comprising a housing element having an aperture and a component.
- a camera apparatus is characterised by a panel fixed to the housing element by screws across the aperture, at least one of said screws also fixes said component to the housing element.
- a camera apparatus 100 comprises a digital video camera (DVC) 10 for capturing moving images, and a digital still camera (DSC) 20 for photographing still images.
- DVC digital video camera
- DSC digital still camera
- the DVC 10 and DSC 20 are mounted in the camera apparatus 100 to face forward.
- a viewfinder 30 is mounted to the rear of the apparatus for the user to view the images.
- the camera apparatus 100 also comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor 40 which is mounted to an outer housing 101 of the camera apparatus 100.
- the LCD monitor 40 opens outward of the housing 101, so that the user can view the images while photographing. It will be appreciated that other types of monitors can also be used.
- a function select key unit 50 protrudes from the upper side portion of the outer housing 101.
- a handle support bracket 60 which supports a handle strap, an external power source and input/output terminal unit 70 are also provided. Additionally, there is an cover 102 which can be opened and closed. The cover 102 is provided to protect the external power source and input/output terminal unit 70 when not in use.
- the camera apparatus 100 has separate modules for photographing both moving images and high-resolution still images. Therefore, there is no need to buy a camcorder to photograph moving images and separately buy a camera to obtain high-resolution still images.
- an LCD seating opening 103 is defined in the outer housing 101 to receive the LCD monitor 40 when the LCD monitor 40 is folded away.
- the LCD seating opening 103 is formed so that the LCD monitor 40 is flush with the outer housing 101 when folded away.
- an inner cover 80 covers the LCD seating opening 103.
- the inner cover 80 defines the outside and inside of the outer housing 101.
- Function keys or speakers are provided in the inner cover 80.
- function keys for various additional functions of the camera apparatus 100 are formed on the inner cover 80, with the operating part of the function key being exposed to the outside when the LCD monitor 40 is open.
- the LCD monitor 40, the function select key unit 50, the handle support bracket 60, the external power source and input/output terminal unit 70 and the inner cover 80 are all fastened to the rear (inside) side of the outer housing 101 by screws.
- a LCD monitor fastening part 41, a function select key unit fastening part 51, a handle support bracket fastening part 61, and a fastening part 71 of the external power source and input/output terminal unit 70 are located to correspond to an inner cover fastening part 81 which are all fastened together by screws allowing the secure mounting of the inner cover 80.
- the inner cover fastening part 81 is arranged along the outer circumference of the inner cover 80.
- the LCD monitor 40 between the rear (inside) side of the outer housing 101 and the inner cover 80, are the LCD monitor 40, the function select key unit 50, the handle support bracket 60 and the external power source and input/output terminal unit 70, arranged in their respective predetermined positions, and with the respective fastening parts aligned with the inner cover fastening part 81.
- the respective units are all securely fastened together with the fastening of the inner cover 80 to the outer housing 101.
- the screw-fastening parts of the respective components are in an optimal arrangement, and therefore, a plurality of components can be fastened to the housing with common screws. As a result, the number of required screws is reduced, the amount of time to assembly the apparatus is reduced, and the product is made more compact.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Studio Devices (AREA)
- Camera Bodies And Camera Details Or Accessories (AREA)
- Liquid Crystal (AREA)
- Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)
Abstract
A housing assembly for an image recording apparatus and method has an outer
housing defining an outer side of the image recording apparatus, a liquid crystal
display (LCD) monitor connected to the outer housing and foldable with respect to
the outer housing, an inner cover, in combination with a display panel assembly,
defining an interior portion of the image recording apparatus, and a plurality of
component units affixed to the interior portion of the outer housing, with an
operating part thereof being exposed outside of the outer housing. The LCD
monitor and the component units share a fastening screw with the inner cover for
the fastening thereof such that the LCD monitor and the component units are
fastened to the outer housing with the inner cover by the common screw.
Description
- The present invention relates to a camera apparatus comprising a housing element having an aperture and a component.
- On average, approximately 200 screws or more are required for the assembling of one camera/camcorder apparatus. The camera includes a display unit, as well as board-mounted components such as a lens unit, terminals and a controller, all of which are fastened to the housing of the camera by screws. Also, although the number of components is gradually reducing, the number of screws required to fasten the units has seldom changed.
- Indeed, the use of screws is considered as one of the main factors that hinders the development of a compact and light-weight camera. The screw is generally made of steel, and requires manual labour to screw the components to the respective locations. This increases the amount of labour, and burdens workers especially as the size of the screws reduces to effect miniaturisation of the products. Therefore, a housing assembly of a camera which requiring fewer screws for the mounting of each component to the housing is needed.
- Accordingly, the present invention has been made to address the above-mentioned problems occurring in the related art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a housing assembly for a camera and method of assembly, in which optimal arrangements are provided for screwing respective components and the mounting therefor.
- The present invention relates to a camera apparatus comprising a housing element having an aperture and a component.
- A camera apparatus according to the present invention is characterised by a panel fixed to the housing element by screws across the aperture, at least one of said screws also fixes said component to the housing element.
- Additional optional and preferred features are set forth in claims 2 and 3 appended hereto.
- An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
- Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a housing assembly of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
-
- The same drawing reference numerals are used for the same elements throughout the drawings. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail for brevity.
- Referring to Figure 1, a
camera apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a digital video camera (DVC) 10 for capturing moving images, and a digital still camera (DSC) 20 for photographing still images. The DVC 10 and DSC 20 are mounted in thecamera apparatus 100 to face forward. Aviewfinder 30 is mounted to the rear of the apparatus for the user to view the images. - The
camera apparatus 100 also comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD)monitor 40 which is mounted to anouter housing 101 of thecamera apparatus 100. TheLCD monitor 40 opens outward of thehousing 101, so that the user can view the images while photographing. It will be appreciated that other types of monitors can also be used. - A function select
key unit 50 protrudes from the upper side portion of theouter housing 101. Ahandle support bracket 60, which supports a handle strap, an external power source and input/output terminal unit 70 are also provided. Additionally, there is ancover 102 which can be opened and closed. Thecover 102 is provided to protect the external power source and input/output terminal unit 70 when not in use. - The
camera apparatus 100 has separate modules for photographing both moving images and high-resolution still images. Therefore, there is no need to buy a camcorder to photograph moving images and separately buy a camera to obtain high-resolution still images. - Referring to Figure 2, an
LCD seating opening 103 is defined in theouter housing 101 to receive theLCD monitor 40 when theLCD monitor 40 is folded away. TheLCD seating opening 103 is formed so that theLCD monitor 40 is flush with theouter housing 101 when folded away. In order to prevent the exposure of the interior of thecamera apparatus 100 through the LCD seating opening 103 when theLCD monitor 40 is in use, aninner cover 80 covers theLCD seating opening 103. Theinner cover 80 defines the outside and inside of theouter housing 101. - Function keys or speakers are provided in the
inner cover 80. In other words, function keys for various additional functions of thecamera apparatus 100 are formed on theinner cover 80, with the operating part of the function key being exposed to the outside when theLCD monitor 40 is open. - The
LCD monitor 40, the function selectkey unit 50, thehandle support bracket 60, the external power source and input/output terminal unit 70 and theinner cover 80, are all fastened to the rear (inside) side of theouter housing 101 by screws. To this end, a LCD monitor fasteningpart 41, a function select keyunit fastening part 51, a handle supportbracket fastening part 61, and afastening part 71 of the external power source and input/output terminal unit 70, are located to correspond to an innercover fastening part 81 which are all fastened together by screws allowing the secure mounting of theinner cover 80. The innercover fastening part 81 is arranged along the outer circumference of theinner cover 80. - Therefore, between the rear (inside) side of the
outer housing 101 and theinner cover 80, are theLCD monitor 40, the function selectkey unit 50, thehandle support bracket 60 and the external power source and input/output terminal unit 70, arranged in their respective predetermined positions, and with the respective fastening parts aligned with the innercover fastening part 81. As a result, the respective units are all securely fastened together with the fastening of theinner cover 80 to theouter housing 101. - In the construction as described above, the number of screws is greatly reduced. Additionally, the amount of labour required, and the time, for the assembling process is reduced.
- In the housing assembly for the
camera apparatus 100, the screw-fastening parts of the respective components are in an optimal arrangement, and therefore, a plurality of components can be fastened to the housing with common screws. As a result, the number of required screws is reduced, the amount of time to assembly the apparatus is reduced, and the product is made more compact.
Claims (17)
- A camera apparatus (100) comprising a housing element (101) having an aperture (103) and a component (40, 50, 60,70), characterised by a panel (80) fixed to the housing element (101) by screws across the aperture (103), at least one of said screws also fixes said component (40,50,60,70) to the housing element (101).
- A camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the component (40,50,60,70) comprises an LCD panel (40) mounted on a hinge (41), the hinge (41) being fixedly connected to the housing element (101) by at least one of said screws.
- A camera apparatus according to either one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the component (40,50,60,70) comprises an input/output terminal unit (70) and/or a function button array (50).
- A housing assembly for an image recording apparatus, comprising:an outer housing defining an outer portion of the image recording apparatus;a liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor connected to the outer housing and being foldable with respect to the outer housing;an inner cover, in combination with a display panel assembly, defining an interior portion of the image recording apparatus; anda plurality of component units affixed to the interior portion of the outer housing, with an operating part thereof being exposed outside the outer housing, whereinthe LCD monitor and the component units share a fastening screw with the inner cover for the fastening thereof such that the LCD monitor and the component units are fastened to the outer housing with the inner cover by the common screw.
- The housing assembly according to claim 4, wherein the component units comprise:a function select key unit of the image forming apparatus;an external power source and input/output terminal unit; anda handle support bracket.
- The housing assembly according to claim 4, further comprising:an LCD seating opening for accepting the LCD monitor within the outer housing.
- The housing assembly according to claim 6, wherein the LCD seating opening is structured to allow the LCD monitor to fit substantially within the outer housing.
- The housing assembly according to claim 6, wherein the LCD monitor does not protrude outside the outer housing.
- The housing assembly according to claim 4, wherein the inner cover covers the LCD seating opening when the LCD monitor is in a closed position within the outer housing.
- The housing assembly according to claim 4, further comprising:an inner cover fastening part being in alignment with respective fastening parts of the LCD monitor, the external power source and the handle support bracket.
- A method for connecting a housing assembly using a common screw for a image recording apparatus, comprising:providing an outer housing defining an outer portion of the image recording apparatus;connecting a liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor to the outer housing;providing an inner cover, in combination with a display panel assembly, for defining an interior portion of the image recording apparatus;affixing a plurality of component units to the interior portion of the outer housing, with an operating part thereof being exposed outside the outer housing; andfastening the LCD monitor, the component units and the inner cover to the outer housing with a common fastening screw.
- The method of claim 11, further comprising:folding the LCD monitor with respect to the outer housing.
- The method of claim 11, further comprising:providing a function select key unit for selecting functions of the image forming apparatus;providing an external power source for powering the image forming apparatus;providing an input/output terminal unit for communicating with external devices; andproviding a handle support bracket for opening and closing the LCD monitor out of and into respectively the outer housing.
- The method of claim 11, further comprising:accepting the LCD monitor within the outer housing via an LCD seating opening.
- The method of claim 13, further comprising:structuring the LCD seating opening to allow the LCD monitor to fit substantially within the outer housing.
- The method of claim 14, further comprising:covering the LCD seating opening with the inner cover when the LCD monitor is in a closed position within the outer housing.
- The method of claim 14, further comprising:aligning an inner cover fastening part with respective fastening parts of the LCD monitor, the external power source and the handle support bracket.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020040016031A KR20050090786A (en) | 2004-03-10 | 2004-03-10 | Housing assembly for imgae recording apparatus |
KR2004016031 | 2004-03-10 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1575274A1 true EP1575274A1 (en) | 2005-09-14 |
Family
ID=34825196
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP05101484A Withdrawn EP1575274A1 (en) | 2004-03-10 | 2005-02-25 | A camera apparatus |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20050200739A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1575274A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4044569B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR20050090786A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1668070A (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR20050090821A (en) * | 2004-03-10 | 2005-09-14 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Housing cover for image photographing appratus |
JP4500732B2 (en) * | 2005-05-27 | 2010-07-14 | キヤノン株式会社 | Imaging device |
JP4264555B2 (en) * | 2006-07-14 | 2009-05-20 | ソニー株式会社 | Imaging device |
EP1931131A1 (en) * | 2006-12-04 | 2008-06-11 | Thomson Licensing | Double hinge monitor mount |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS60198975A (en) * | 1984-03-22 | 1985-10-08 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Television camera |
EP0689350A2 (en) * | 1994-06-22 | 1995-12-27 | Sony Corporation | Display device for video camera |
JPH09163207A (en) * | 1995-12-08 | 1997-06-20 | Sony Corp | Recording and reproducing device |
JPH11294214A (en) * | 1998-04-06 | 1999-10-26 | Nakahyo:Kk | Running control device for automobile |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD394075S (en) * | 1997-02-13 | 1998-05-05 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Video camera with video tape recorder |
-
2004
- 2004-03-10 KR KR1020040016031A patent/KR20050090786A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
2005
- 2005-01-31 US US11/045,141 patent/US20050200739A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-02-25 EP EP05101484A patent/EP1575274A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2005-03-01 CN CNA2005100086499A patent/CN1668070A/en active Pending
- 2005-03-09 JP JP2005066163A patent/JP4044569B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS60198975A (en) * | 1984-03-22 | 1985-10-08 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Television camera |
EP0689350A2 (en) * | 1994-06-22 | 1995-12-27 | Sony Corporation | Display device for video camera |
JPH09163207A (en) * | 1995-12-08 | 1997-06-20 | Sony Corp | Recording and reproducing device |
JPH11294214A (en) * | 1998-04-06 | 1999-10-26 | Nakahyo:Kk | Running control device for automobile |
Non-Patent Citations (3)
Title |
---|
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 010, no. 042 (E - 382) 19 February 1986 (1986-02-19) * |
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1997, no. 10 31 October 1997 (1997-10-31) * |
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 2000, no. 01 31 January 2000 (2000-01-31) * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2005260958A (en) | 2005-09-22 |
US20050200739A1 (en) | 2005-09-15 |
CN1668070A (en) | 2005-09-14 |
JP4044569B2 (en) | 2008-02-06 |
KR20050090786A (en) | 2005-09-14 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
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AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
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AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
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17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20051024 |
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AKX | Designation fees paid |
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STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
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18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20090829 |